The Chicago Bulls have dominated the NBA during the 90s, winning six championships during that decade, highlighted by their two 3-peats from 1991-1993 and 1996-1998. But for some weird reason, the core of the team was broken up in the 1998-99 season, which was also shortened by a lockout. In a recent interview with ESPN's Rachel Nichols, Bulls legend Scottie Pippen said that had he, Michael Jordan, and Dennis Rodman stayed together, they would've gone undefeated heading into the 1999 playoffs.
The Bulls won 6 titles in 8 years…and then broke up. I asked Pippen & Rodman what would have happened if they'd stayed together even just one more season – especially since that next season was shortened by the lockout. Scottie: "we probably would have gone 50-0." https://t.co/Q3asqFSKU8
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) September 11, 2019
After the Bulls won their second 3-peat, Jordan retired for the second time in his career. Rodman signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Pippen was traded to the Houston Rockets. Obviously, no one would be able to tell if Chicago would've gone 50-0 during that season, but they would've been good enough to win their fourth straight championship.
After their infamous break-up, none of Chicago's Big Three was able to win another championship. Pippen was the one who had the longest tenure in the NBA after leaving the Bulls in 1998. He played six more seasons in the league before retiring in the 2003-04 season. Rodman didn't stay long in the NBA after being involved in several controversies. He played his last season with the Dallas Mavericks during the 1999-2000 season, but he was cut by the team after only 12 games.
As for Jordan, he was out of the NBA for three seasons before unretiring in 2001. He then played two years for the Washington Wizards before finally retiring for good in 2003.
The Bulls' core was capable of leading the team to more than just three straight titles. It's unfortunate that the core of MJ, Pip, and Rodman had to part ways, but regardless of everything that happened, they were still able to build one of the greatest dynasties in American sports history.
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